DRUG REHAB PROGRAM'S BUILDING SHUT DOWN

Citing "extremely hazardous" building and housing violations, the Cleveland Fire Department closed a building in the St.  Clair-Superior neighborhood yesterday that housed El Fuente de Esperanza, a social service agency operating a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

The action came just days after Councilman Joe Cimperman complained that people in the program were mistreated.

Fire Chief Kevin Gerrity ordered El Fuente de Esperanza ( Fountain of Hope ) to vacate the building it owns at 7403-05 St.  Clair Ave.  until the violations are corrected.  He said in a news release that the unsafe conditions included overcrowding and a lack of required sprinklers and smoke detectors.  Fire and housing inspectors also found "deficient and dangerous" electrical and heating systems.

[Remainder snipped]